ProZES: Calculation of the probability of causation of cancer by radiation exposure

The software ProZES is currently being developed by order of BfS and BMU.

It calculates the probability that cancer in a specific person was caused by previous occupational radiation exposure.

The calculated probability of causation plays an important role in claims for compensation of occupational diseases, as it is not possible, to determine whether a cancer disease has been induced by some previous radiation exposure based on the clinical picture.

ProZES is supposed to support experts involved in the judgement of compensation claims.

The probability that a previous radiation exposure of a specific person in a given exposure situation has resulted in cancer, plays an important role with respect to the allowance of claims for radiation-induced occupational diseases. The Institute of Radiation Protection at the Helmholtz Zentrum München, by order of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) and the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS), develops a software named "ProZES" for calculating this probability. A trial version of ProZES can be downloaded.

Who is ProZES aimed at?

ProZES is supposed to be a tool for experts and staff of workers' compensation boards. Its application requires expert knowledge on radiation risk.

ProZES User interface with an exemplified calculation

What is ProZES doing?

Based on individual information on disease, radiation type and doses, ProZES calculates the probability that the occurrence of cancer in a specific person has been caused by previous radiation exposure. For this purpose, it uses state-of-the-art models of radiation risk as well as demographic and incidence data specifically related to Germany.

One particular strength of ProZES is that it not only calculates one single estimated value for the probability of causation but also its confidence interval.

Timeline

Since November 2016, the BfS has been collecting feedback on a trial version of the software. Based on this feedback, recommendations for improving the software were worked out in an expert discussion in October 2017. The software is scheduled to be finalized until mid-2019.

Further comments and feedback regarding the trial version are appreciated and may be sent via email to ProZES@bfs.de.

Legal Notes

Terms of License for the trial version of the German Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS)'s ProZES software are included in the software and have to be accepted for setup.Final Report

More information

Detailed information on ProZES can be found in the scientific reports for the research projects during which ProZES was developed (part 1 and part 2). They are available in DORIS - the Digital Online Repository and Information System of the BfS.